Maximizing Cost Efficiencies through Cooperative Partnerships

Workshop: A3
Area of Interest: Innovation to Implementation

Presenter Materials: Slide Presentation

This workshop will explore lessons learned from a collaborative partnership that shared back office functions, such as finance, human resources, and information technology services.

The shared services concept requires the radical redesign of how work is delivered and where staff is located; however, it offers valuable cost-saving efficiencies to the partnering agencies. Such collaborations also require relationship building, resiliency, communication, and trust.

This workshop’s presenters will share their approach to governance, relationships and organizational structure. They also will discuss:

• Staffing models and cost allocation methodologies
• Communication plans and the challenges of differing organizational complexities
• Changes of leadership and the impact upon existing and developing projects
• Their approach to interest-based decision making
• Honoring our nonprofit heritage while recognizing the need corporate efficiencies
• The need for standardized approaches also allow for flexibility

Learning Objectives

• Information about the sniff test of collaboration
• How to apply interest-based decision making
• How to use a screening tool to self-assess an organization’s readiness for participation in a shared services model

Presenter: Peggy Eagan, executive director, Children & Family Services Center

Presenter Biography

Peggy Eagan
Executive Director
Children & Family Services Center

Peggy Eagan has managed nonprofit organizations and held leadership roles within national initiatives for more than 25 years. She currently is the executive director of the Children and Family Service Center in Charlotte, N.C.

The Children and Family Service Center is located in a 100,000 square foot facility houses 10 different nonprofits that serve children and families in the Charlotte area. This arrangement allows for ample collaboration the sharing of back office services.

Eagan is an accomplished public speaker. She facilitates trainings and leads board and staff retreats throughout the United States. Her consulting has included work in program development, organizational development, change management and strategic planning.

Eagan was a registered lobbyist and has served on the Prevent Child Abuse America Board of Directors. She holds a master’s in social work from Indiana University